Jumping shoe

ABSTRACT

A jumping shoe includes a pair of spring platforms, extending downward under the heel of the user and under the ball of his foot. Each spring platform includes a guiding structure, a sliding platform mounted to slide on the guiding structure, and a spring pushing the sliding platform downward. Preferably, the sliding movement is obtained through the use of an inner cylinder sliding within a cavity of an outer cylinder.

[0001] This application claims the benefits of Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/258,794, filed on Dec. 29, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a shoe having a pair of slidingmechanisms biased by means of mechanical springs and/or pneumaticcylinders for use in jumping and exercising.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] The patent literature includes a number of descriptions of shoesor boots in which springs are placed between the wearer's foot and theground. Since most of these prior art devices are concerned withimproving comfort during walking and jogging, not with providing adifferent kind of jumping exercise experience, most of these devicesprovide for small spring deflections associated used to cushion shockloading of the foot.

[0006] A number of these devices provide for the application of a springonly within the heel portion of the shoe, with the spring being placedbetween a pair of plates, pivotally or flexibly attached at the front ofthe shoe or in the middle of the shoe, which spread apart toward theheel of the shoe, where the spring is placed. Such devices are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,079 and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 434,548, which show atapered coil spring centered within the heel; and U.S. Pat. No.5,743,028, which shows seven individual coil springs arranged in apattern in an insert within the heel of an athletic shoe. Other suchdevices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,325, which shows a coiltorsion spring extending side-to-side within the heel, to be twistedwhen the heel is stepped upon; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,934, which showspivoted plates in the rear part of the shoe being held in a pivotedcondition by an elastic belt and pulled into a relatively flat conditionwhen the heel is stepped upon. U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,737 shows an shoehaving a heel including a pair of semi-elliptical spring plates held ina deflected condition by internal, horizontal extension springs. U.S.Pat. No. 4,771,554 shows a heel including a pair of flexible platesseparated by an elastomeric pad. U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,819 shows areplaceable shoe heel spring assembly including a leaf spring. U.S. Pat.No. 5,797,198 shows a shock-absorbing device, used within a shoe, havinga pivoted heel plate that is held in an upwardly angled position by atorsion spring.

[0007] Other patents described other spring mechanisms undergoingrelatively small deflections to absorb shocks and increase walkingcomfort. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,079 and 5,282,325 furthershow the use of vertically-sliding, spring-biased, heel blocks, withU.S. Pat. No. 5,435,079 showing a ladies' high heel shoe having a hollowheel enclosing a coil compression spring and a block engaging theground; and of U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,325 showing a slidably mounted bottomportion of a relatively low heeled shoe being held down by a torsionspring. Other patents describe the use of a number of coil compressionsprings along all or at least a large part of the area of the sole of ashoe. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,042,175 and 4,030,213 describes such springsbeing placed in a number of cavities extending along a flexible sole.U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,448 describes the use of such springs mounted withina box in the bottom sole. U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,685 describes a mechanismusing hinged and curved spring members held in place by elastic bands,between widely separated portions of a Z-shaped platform to absorb andrelease the impact energy of the user.

[0008] While the devices described in the patents referenced aboveprovide cushioning for walking and jogging, what is needed is a pair ofshoes with spring devices undergoing large deflections for use injumping exercises.

[0009] Other patents describe spring mechanisms designed for largedeflections, such as those that may be encountered in running andjumping exercises. However, a rocking motion of the foot is permittedand encouraged; there is no sliding mechanism forcing the portion of themechanism touching the ground to move vertically relative to the rest ofthe mechanism, as in your invention. Examples of such mechanisms arefound in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,492,374 and 5,916,071, which includesemi-elliptical leaf springs extending between the shoe sole and theground, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,124, which shows a shoe sole formedas a Z-shaped member having a diagonal member extending downward betweenthe toe and the heel. The members may have concave shaped surfaces toencourage front-to-rear rocking. While the large deflections possiblewith the spring mechanisms of such devices can provide for use injumping exercises, the design of such mechanisms to encourage rockingmovements on the ground may reduce a level of stability of the user'sfooting during such exercises. What is needed is a shoe having springmechanisms with large deflection capabilities for jumping exercises withimproved stability provided by preventing angular misalignment betweenthe shoe sole and the portion of the spring mechanisms touching theground.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,138 describes a spring shoe device that fitsunder the shoe and around the shin of the user. The upper part ispivoted on the part extending under the shoe in alignment with theuser's ankle, and a toe portion is also separately pivoted. The springtends to keep the foot in an extended condition. While this device isparticularly configured to store and release energy during jogging, whatis needed are mechanisms bouncing with both the heel and toe of the userthrough relatively large deflections during a jumping exercise.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,037 describes a self-contained pneumaticallyelevating recreational exercise device using an air cylinder as anextendable air spring that is secured to a horizontal surface or stand.The user's body is secured to the air cylinder by a safety harness. Thisconcept is also applied to an unsecured toy pogo stick embodiment. Anaspirating check valve may be used to admit air at the top of thestroke, producing added elevation with each vigorous leaping effort.What is needed is a mechanism applying such a valve within a springplatform of a jumping shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A first objective of the invention is to provide a shoe withspring mechanisms undergoing large deflections to facilitate the use ofthe shoe in jumping games and exercises.

[0013] A second objective of the invention is to provide a shoe withspring mechanisms having downward-facing contact surfaces which slidevertically to prevent twisting and rocking.

[0014] A third objective of the invention is to provide a shoe havingindependent spring mechanisms extending below both the heel and ball ofthe wearer's foot so that exercising with the shoe can be similar toordinary walking, with weight being placed alternately on the heel andball or toe of the foot.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, a shoe is provided,including an upper, a sole attached to the upper, and first and secondspring platforms. The sole is attached to the upper, with the sole andthe upper together extending around a foot-receiving cavity. The soleincludes a first portion extending under a heel of a human foot placedwithin the foot receiving cavity and a second portion extending under aball and toes of the human foot placed within the foot-receiving cavity.The first spring platform extends downward from the first portion of thesole, and the second spring platform extends downward from the secondportion of the sole. Each spring platform includes a guiding structureattached to the sole, a sliding platform slidably mounted on the guidingstructure and having a downwardly exposed contact surface, and a springapplying a force between the guiding structure and the sliding platformto hold the sliding platform down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a partly sectional side elevation of a jumping shoebuilt in accordance with a first version of the invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a partly sectional side elevation of a jumping shoebuilt in accordance with a second version of the invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a partly sectional side elevation of a jumping shoebuilt in accordance with a third version of the invention; and

[0019]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross section of the jumping shoeof FIG. 1, showing an optional additional application of a valvearrangement therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020]FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side elevation of a shoe 2 builtin accordance with a first version of the invention. The shoe 2 includesa conventional upper 3, which may be fastened with laces, with latchingclosures, or with VELCRO closures, and a sole 4. The upper 3 and thesole 4 together define a foot-receiving cavity 6 into which a humanfoot, indicated by dashed lines 8, may be inserted. The sole 4 includesa first portion 10, extending under the heel of a human foot insertedinto the foot-receiving cavity 6, and a second portion 12, extendingunder the toe and ball of such a foot.

[0021] A first spring platform 16 is attached to the first portion 10 ofthe sole 4, extending downward therefrom, and a second spring platform17 is attached to the second portion 12 of the sole 4, extendingdownward therefrom. Each spring platform 16, 17 includes a guidingstructure 18 and a sliding platform 20, which in turn includes an innercylinder 22 sliding within an outer cylinder 24 extending downward as apart of the guiding structure 18. A flange 26 of the guiding structure18 is fastened to the shoe sole 14 by means of a number of rivets 28.The inner cylinder 22 is slidably mounted within a bushing portion 30 ofthe outer cylinder 24, with downward motion of the inner cylinder 22being limited by contact between a flange 32 of the inner cylinder 22and the bushing portion 30 of the outer cylinder 24. A compressionspring 34 pushes the sliding platform 20 downward. The lower end of eachsliding platform 20 is preferably formed as a disk 36, having adownward-facing contact surface 37 for contact with the ground.Preferably, the two spring platforms 16, 17 extend under the heel andball of the wearer's foot, which are particularly configured to carryhis weight during normal standing and walking. Also, this arrangementprovides alternately placing weight on the heel and ball or toe of thefoot as in normal walking.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a partly sectional elevation of a jumping shoe 38 builtin accordance with a second version of the invention. In this version,the compression spring 34 of the version of FIG. 1 inside the cylinders22, 24 is replaced by a larger compression spring 38 extending aroundthe cylinders 22, 24, with similar elements being afforded likereference numerals in both FIGS. 1 and 2. A flexible bellows 40, whichmay be composed of an elastomeric material, is added to shield thespring 38. Also, in the example of FIG. 2, a relatively thickelastomeric disk 42 replaces the disk 36. One or both ends of the spring38 may be formed outward to fit into an adjacent hole 44, maintainingthe alignment of the spring 38.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a partly sectional elevation of a jumping shoe 46 builtin accordance with a third version of the invention. In this version,the stationary guiding structure 46, fastened to the shoe sole 4,includes an inner cylinder 48, while the sliding platform 50 includes anouter cylinder 52, mounted to slide over the inner cylinder 48, and adisk 54.

[0024] The cylinders 22, 24 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and cylinders 48, 52 ofFIG. 3, being slidably mounted to one another, serve to guide themovement of the disks 36, 42, 54 touching the ground relative to theshoe. These disks 36, 42, 54 are constrained to move vertically and toremain horizontal, increasing the stability of the shoe during vigorousjumping exercises. In this way, the rocking and tilting movements of thefoot, easily occurring with various prior art devices are prevented inthe present invention. The cylinders 22, 24 and cylinders 48, 52, beingslidably mounted to one another, further serve to provide the functionsof an air cylinder, providing an additional downward force, due to aircompression, aiding the force provided by the compression spring 34, 38,and providing damping with the movement of air into and out of the spacewithin the cylinders.

[0025] The sliding operation of the cylinders 22, 24 and 48, 52 dependsin part on this movement of air into and out of this space within thecylinders. This air movement may occur entirely through gaps betweenadjacent surfaces of the mating cylinders. Alternately, a valvearrangement may be added to provide for such air movement.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the firstversion of the invention, otherwise as shown in FIG. 1, showing theapplication therein of an optional valve arrangement including a checkvalve 56 and an adjustable valve 58. The check valve 56 is provided toallow the inward movement of air, into a cavity 60 within the outercylinder 24, with a downward movement of the sliding platform 20 (shownin FIG. 1), relative to the outer cylinder 24, while preventing anoutward flow of air from the cavity 60. These purposes are achieved byholding a ball 62 against an outer opening 64 of the check valve 56 witha compression spring 66. As the sliding platform 20 is rapidly moveddownward, a resulting reduction in pressure within the cavity 60 pullsthe ball 60 away from the opening 64, allowing an inward movement ofair. On the other hand, when the sliding platform 20 is moved upward,relative to the outer cylinder 24, increasing the pressure within thecavity 60, the ball 60 is held against the opening 64, so that aircannot escape through the check valve 56. In this way, the check valve56 provides the user with an opportunity to increase the pressure withinthe cavity 60, changing the feeling experienced when jumping, byvigorous jumping exercises. The feeling experienced while jumping canalso be changed by turning a knob 68 of the adjustable valve 58, so thata needle 70 extending within a threaded hole 72 is moved toward or awayfrom an orifice 74 leading to the cavity 60.

[0027] Both the check valve 56 and the adjustable valve 58 may be usedtogether, as shown in the example of FIG. 4, either the check valve 56or the adjustable valve 58 may be used alone, or the jumping shoe may bebuilt without including either of the valves 56, as shown in theexamples of FIGS. 1-3.

[0028] Jumping shoes built in accordance with the invention arepreferably made available in matched left and right pairs.

[0029] While the invention has been described in its preferred versionswith some degree of particularity, it is understood that thisdescription has been given only by way of an example, and that manychanges may be made in the form and combination of parts withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe comprising: an upper a sole attached tosaid upper, wherein said sole and said upper together extend around afoot receiving cavity, and wherein said sole includes a first portionextending under a heel of a human foot placed within said foot receivingcavity and a second portion extending under a ball and toes of saidhuman foot placed within said foot receiving cavity; and first andsecond spring platforms, wherein said first spring platform extendsdownward from said first portion of said sole, wherein said secondspring platform extends downward from said second portion of said sole,and wherein each said spring platform includes a guiding structureattached to said sole, a sliding platform slidably mounted on saidguiding structure and having a downwardly exposed contact surface, and aspring applying a force between said guiding structure and said slidingplatform to hold said sliding platform down.
 2. The shoe of claim 1,wherein said guiding structure of a platform within said first andsecond spring platforms includes a hollow outer cylinder, and saidsliding platform of a platform within said first and second springplatforms includes an inner cylinder sliding within a said outercylinder.
 3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein said inner cylinder includesan outward extending flange, and said outer cylinder includes an inwardextending bushing portion engaging said outward extending flange tolimit downward movement of said inner cylinder within said outercylinder.
 4. The shoe of claim 2, wherein a portion of said innercylinder is hollow, and said spring includes a compression springextending within said hollow portion of said inner cylinder and withinsaid hollow outer cylinder.
 5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein said guidingstructure of a platform within said first and second spring platformsincludes an inner cylinder, and said sliding platform of a platformwithin said first and second spring platforms includes a hollow outercylinder sliding over said inner cylinder.
 6. The shoe of claim 5,wherein said inner cylinder includes an outward extending flange, andsaid outer cylinder includes an inward extending bushing portionengaging said outward extending flange to limit downward movement ofsaid outer cylinder over said inner cylinder.
 8. The shoe of claim 5,wherein a portion of said inner cylinder is hollow, and said springincludes a compression spring extending within said hollow portion ofsaid inner cylinder and within said hollow outer cylinder.
 9. The shoeof claim 1, wherein said spring of a spring platform within said firstand second spring platforms includes a compressing spring extendingaround said guiding structure.
 10. The shoe of claim 1, wherein a springplatform within said first and second spring platforms additionallycomprises a flexible bellows extending around said guiding structure andaround a portion of said sliding platform.
 11. The shoe of claim 1,wherein a spring platform within said first and second spring platformsincludes: a hollow outer cylinder; an inner cylinder sliding within saidhollow outer cylinder; and an adjustable valve allowing a flow of airinto a cavity within said hollow outer cylinder.
 12. The shoe of claim1, wherein a spring platform within said first and second springplatforms includes: a hollow outer cylinder; an inner cylinder slidingwithin said hollow outer cylinder; and a check valve opening to allow aflow of air into a cavity within said hollow outer cylinder and closingto prevent a flow of air from said cavity within said hollow outercylinder.
 13. A spring platform for attachment under a shoe sole,wherein said spring platform comprises: a guiding structure forattachment to said sole; a sliding platform slidably mounted on saidguiding structure, having a downwardly exposed contact surface; and aspring applying a force between said guiding structure and said slidingplatform to hold said sliding platform down.
 14. The spring platform ofclaim 13, wherein said guiding structure includes a hollow outercylinder, and said sliding platform includes an inner cylinder slidingwithin a said outer cylinder.
 15. The spring platform of claim 14,wherein said inner cylinder includes an outward extending flange, andsaid outer cylinder includes an inward extending bushing portionengaging said outward extending flange to limit downward movement ofsaid inner cylinder within said outer cylinder.
 16. The spring platformof claim 14, wherein a portion of said inner cylinder is hollow, andsaid spring includes a compression spring extending within said hollowportion of said inner cylinder and within said hollow outer cylinder.17. The spring platform of claim 13, wherein said guiding structureincludes an inner cylinder, and said sliding platform includes a hollowouter cylinder sliding over said inner cylinder.
 18. The spring platformof claim 17, wherein said inner cylinder includes an outward extendingflange, and said outer cylinder includes an inward extending bushingportion engaging said outward extending flange to limit downwardmovement of said outer cylinder over said inner cylinder.
 19. The springplatform of claim 17, wherein a portion of said inner cylinder ishollow, and said spring includes a compression spring extending withinsaid hollow portion of said inner cylinder and within said hollow outercylinder.
 20. The spring platform of claim 13, wherein said springincludes a compressing spring extending around said guiding structure.21. The spring platform of claim 13, additionally comprising a flexiblebellows extending around said guiding structure and around a portion ofsaid sliding platform.
 22. The spring platform of claim 13, wherein aspring platform includes: a hollow outer cylinder; an inner cylindersliding within said hollow outer cylinder; and an adjustable valveallowing a flow of air into and out of a cavity within said hollow outercylinder.
 23. The spring platform of claim 13, wherein a spring platformincludes: a hollow outer cylinder; an inner cylinder sliding within saidhollow outer cylinder; and a check valve opening to allow a flow of airinto a cavity within said hollow outer cylinder and closing to prevent aflow of air from said cavity within said hollow outer cylinder.